As the Philippine Paralympic team gears up for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, let’s honor the remarkable athletes who’ve already made us proud with their extraordinary achievements.
Six athletes will be representing the Philippines in the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
That's Cendy Asusano and Jerrold Mangliwan (para athletics), Agustina Bantiloc (para archery), Allain Ganapin (para taekwondo), Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom (para swimming).
[ALSO READ: Meet the six Philippine athletes competing in the Paralympic Games Paris 2024]
They will aim to bring home medals for the Philippines, as done by two Paralympians before them. Let's look back at those who have made history for the Philippines at the Paralympic Games.
Adeline Dumapong
- Para Weightlifting, Bronze medalist in Sydney 2000
Adeline Dumapong made history as the first Filipina to secure a Paralympic medal, earning a bronze at the 2000 Summer Paralympics.
Hailing from Kiangan, Ifugao, she grew up in a family of six and faced the challenge of polio from the age of three.
Inspired by her friends and driven by her strong build, Dumapong embraced powerlifting in 1997.
At the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, she competed in the women’s -82.5 kg powerlifting category and clinched the bronze medal, marking a groundbreaking achievement as the Philippines' first Paralympic medalist.
Josephine Medina
- Para Table Tennis, Bronze medalist in Rio de Janeiro 2016
Josephine Medina clinched a bronze medal in table tennis at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, becoming the second Filipino to achieve this honor after Adeline Dumapong’s bronze in Sydney 2000.
Diagnosed with polio at just eight months old, Medina's journey was marked by incredible perseverance and strength.
Her talent extended beyond the Paralympics. She also dominated at regional and continental levels, securing four gold medals at the 2008 ASEAN Para Games and adding another gold at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games.
In September 2021, she passed away at the age of 51. Medina's legacy of courage and excellence continues to inspire, embodying the spirit of Filipino resilience and national pride.
As the six Paralympic athletes prepare to make history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games starting August 28, let’s rally behind them and cheer them on in their journey to bring our nation even greater pride.
[ALSO READ: Ernie Gawilan and Agustina Bantiloc are the country’s flag bearers in the 17th Paralympic Games]